In today's episode, I explore the psychological depth of Dostoyevsky’s literature through the lens of bibliotherapy. Could the Russian novelist understand the human psyche more intimately than Freud himself? We examine key characters, existential themes, and the healing potential of Dostoyevsky’s work, comparing literary insight with psychoanalytic theory. From Raskolnikov’s guilt to Ivan Karamazov’s spiritual crisis, this episode uncovers how fiction can mirror the unconscious—and why Dostoyevsky still resonates as a therapeutic force today.

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

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Dear Listener,

Hello and welcome back to Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah—the podcast where books are more than stories—they're medicine for the soul. Today, I’m thrilled to share some of the spring and summer reads that I am most excited about reading this year. Whether you're seeking escape, self-discovery, or emotional renewal, this season’s fiction and nonfiction titles offer powerful paths to healing.

From stories of love, loss, and intergenerational memory to explorations of identity, time anxiety, and reinvention, each book speaks to a part of us that longs to be seen or soothed. These are books for the curious and the courageous—those ready to embrace transformation through story. Join me on this episode of Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah to find not just what to read next, but what your soul might need most this spring and summer.

Plus my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading is finally out in the US and Canada on June 10, 2025 in case you’d like to add it to your Spring and Summer reads. I hope you love it :)

Let’s dive in!

Enjoy!

Warmly,

Bijal

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

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In this episode of Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah, we explore how the shared experience of reading can become a profound path to healing. From grief support circles to juvenile justice programs and women's shelters, I share examples of settings where group bibliotherapy can be incredibly impactful. Discover how stories can break isolation, build empathy, and foster collective resilience.

Whether you're a therapist, educator, or simply a book lover, this episode will inspire you to see literature as a bridge—not just to understanding yourself, but each other.

If you’re interested in Group Bibliotherapy, Book Therapy’s Online Group Bibliotherapy Skills Course offers comprehensive training.

You’ll learn how to:

• Select appropriate texts.
• Structure and facilitate sessions.
• Adapt for diverse groups and needs.

It’s self-paced and online, so you can complete it at your own convenience —ideal for anyone strapped for time. You’ll also receive a certificate of completion.

Thank you for joining me today. If you have stories or experiences with group bibliotherapy, I’d love to hear from you—email me, write to me. I always love hearing from passionate listeners.

Until then—happy reading.

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

Personalised Book Prescriptions

Bibliotherapy Sessions

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The concept of neurodiversity has gained widespread recognition over the past few decades, advocating for a shift in perspective from viewing neurological differences as deficits to acknowledging them as natural variations of the human brain. Neurodivergence encompasses conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other cognitive differences. Rather than pathologising these variations, neurodiversity embraces the idea that cognitive diversity is an asset to society.

In parallel, bibliotherapy—the practice of using books as a therapeutic tool—has been increasingly recognised as a valuable approach to supporting mental and emotional well-being. Bibliotherapy involves selecting specific literature to help individuals process emotions, develop self-awareness, and gain new perspectives. For neurodivergent individuals, bibliotherapy can be an especially powerful tool, offering validation, emotional regulation strategies, and opportunities for self-reflection.

This episode today explores the intersection of neurodiversity and bibliotherapy, delving into the ways literature can support neurodivergent individuals. By examining the science behind bibliotherapy, its applications for different neurodivergent conditions, and its role in fostering community and personal growth, this discussion aims to highlight how stories can be a beacon of understanding and healing. In my recent book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading (https://amzn.to/4locTSm) I talk about the story of Leo in Chapter 8 and how graphic novels and narrative therapy really supported his journey on navigating neurodiversity, especially the social dynamics that people with neurodiversity often found themselves in, especially when engaging with more neurotypical peers. This is one of my favourite chapters in the book, so I do hope you get a chance to read it.

In this episode, I share all of the above, plus my top ten books on neurodiversity across both fiction and nonfiction, which I hope you find helpful. And without further ado, enjoy the listen today!

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

Personalised Book Prescriptions

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In today's episode, inspired by the Netflix series Adolescence, I explore the emotional and social challenges facing today’s teenage boys and suggest a curated list of both fiction and nonfiction books to help parents better understand and support their children.

Drawing from key themes in the show—mental health, toxic masculinity, online influence, and emotional isolation—the episode pairs literary insights with practical parenting strategies, tools and reading resources for parents to help them navigate the complexities of raising teens in a digital world.

I hope you enjoy the listen.

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

Personalised Book Prescriptions

Bibliotherapy Sessions

You can also follow us on your preferred platform using the links below:

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I hope you’ve been enjoying SEASON 3 of my podcast Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah so far! Episodes published to date discuss literary journaling and reflective practice with literacy coach and bookologist Stephanie Affinito, books that celebrate women writers with a specific focus on women’s empowerment and the rise of romantasy and it’s intersection with bibliotherapy with lots more valuable bibliotherapy content coming up to look forward to! In today’s episode, I wanted to introduce my conversation with writer, editor and podcaster, Sangeetha Menon on the healing power of creativity and stories. This was a session that was recorded on Sangeetha’s podcast platform, The Closet Writer Chronicles.

Sangeetha Menon a.k.a. The Moody Marshmallow is a writer, editor and podcaster. She currently handles the rights portfolio at Tulika Publishers, where she finds new avenues for stories to travel. She has worked with organisations like Bound, Karadi Tales, and Carve Magazine to name a few. You can find her on Instagram: @marshmallow.musings and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menonsangeetha/

I really hope you enjoy my conversation with Sangeetha, and I always welcome your comments, emails and thoughts. Enjoy the listen! ❤

If you’d like to follow Sangeetha Menon’s work you can find links to her social media below or listen to some more episodes from her podcast at The Closet Writer Chronicles.

• Instagram: @marshmallow.musings
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menonsangeetha/
• Twitter: @TheMoodyMarsh

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

Personalised Book Prescriptions

Bibliotherapy Sessions

You can also follow us on your preferred platform using the links below:

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Dear Listener,

Join us as we explore the growing popularity of romantasy and its connection to bibliotherapy. Discover how these captivating narratives offer not only escapism but also emotional healing, resilience, and self-discovery.

I hope you enjoy this selection! Any other books we should add? Let me know in the comments.

x

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

Personalised Book Prescriptions

Bibliotherapy Sessions

You can also follow us on your preferred platform using the links below:

Instagram

Facebook

Dear Listener,

Following International Women's Day 2025, and in celebration of Women's History Month this March, I have selected a notable set of thought-provoking books that explore women's stories - their resilience, courage and drive.

These spotlight the journeys of courageous women, trailblazers, and change-makers from around the world. From memoirs and biographies to fiction that captures the spirit of resilience, each book invites much-need conversations on gender equality to inspire and ignite reflection and social change.

I hope you enjoy this selection! Any other books we should add? Let me know in the comments.

x

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like to get in touch, share any book recommendations or thoughts on bibliotherapy, you can email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

Personalised Book Prescriptions

Bibliotherapy Sessions

You can also follow us on your preferred platform using the links below:

Instagram

Facebook